A Covid-19 test site will be opened in Linlithgow Burgh Halls from tomorrow (Thursday).
The site is an Asymptomatic Test Site (ATS) - for those who don’t have Covid-19 symptoms. The testing centre will be operated and staffed by West Lothian Council.
The ATS at Linlithgow Burgh Halls will be opened daily from 9.30am until 4.30pm.
Residents don’t have to book an appointment.
It’s a walk-in service available for everyone without symptoms who lives or works in West Lothian. Residents who live out with the Linlithgow area can travel to attend the testing site at the Burgh Halls – which is in line with current guidance on travel.
The aim of an ATS is to help stop the spread of the virus locally – so it’s really important that as many people as possible come along and get tested. Most new cases are people who have the infection but show no symptoms and can pass it on, unknowingly, to others. In the past, many of these people would not have been tested, and the disease would have continued to spread.
The new cases identified through testing do not necessarily mean that the situation is getting worse, but are instead reflective of the ongoing work that is being done to control the virus, including the increased amount of testing being undertaken for people both with and without symptoms.
The site at Bathgate Partnership Centre has now closed.
Graeme Struthers, depute chief executive of West Lothian Council said: “Thank you to all those that attended the test centre at Bathgate.
"As we have said, it’s our intention to have test centres located across West Lothian over the coming weeks and months.
“Everyone hopes that the numbers of Covid-19 cases continues to fall but it’s likely that all areas of West Lothian will continue to be impacted by the virus for the foreseeable future. It’s important that we all do what we can to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“Our centres will allow people to take a test and a result will be available within a very short space of time.
“For those that return a positive test, it will allow them to self-isolate and help prevent the spread of the virus.
“Testing will help to identify those without symptoms and help to reduce the chances of those individuals passing on the virus unknowingly.”
Further details are available online at https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/communitytesting
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